Microwave decomposition machine

Abstract

This invention describes a microwave decomposition machine and method to decompose and sterilize medical waste material using high energy density microwaves, 60 Kilowatts or greater. The medical waste is well stirred and there is no damage of the cavity due to arcing during the process. The decomposition process takes place in a sealed oxygen free atmosphere of 1.0% or less oxygen thereby preventing the discharge of any medical waste gases into the atmosphere. The microwave decomposition machine can be mounted on a vehicle for easy transport to the source of the medical waste material.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A machine using microwave energy in a sealed atmosphere to decompose and sterilize medical waste material, comprising: a rotary tank with mixing blades attached to the inner surface of said rotary tank;   a microwave generator;   a fixed waveguide connecting said rotary tank to said microwave generator which transmits microwave energy from said microwave generator to the interior of said rotary tank;   an input door connected to said waveguide for introducing medical waste material into the machine;   an output door mechanism forming a rotary joint between said rotary tank and said fixed waveguide wherein said mechanism forms a vacuum seal, a microwave energy seal, and means for discharging solid decomposed and sterilized medical waste material;   means for collecting output gases of said decomposed and sterilized medical waste material connected to said microwave generator; and   means for collecting solid said decomposed and sterilized medical waste material discharged from said output door mechanism.   
     
     
       2. The machine of claim 1 wherein there is mounted on said machine, means for shredding said medical waste material between said input door and said waveguide. 
     
     
       3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said shredding means is a shredder to shred said medical waste material into strips of varying lengths having a width or diameter of less than about 2.5 cm. 
     
     
       4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said mixing blades are heroical mixing blades. 
     
     
       5. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means for collecting said output gasses is a gas condenser. 
     
     
       6. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means for collecting said solid decomposed and sterilized medical waste material is a trolley comprised of a container mounted on wheels. 
     
     
       7. The machine of claim 1 wherein said rotary tank is rotated by means of a motor and gear attached to the exterior of said rotary tank. 
     
     
       8. A method of decomposing and sterilizing medical waste material, comprising: providing a decomposing and sterilizing apparatus comprising a rotary tank with mixing blades attached to the inner surface of said rotary tank; a sealed atmosphere inside said rotary tank; a microwave generator; a fixed waveguide connecting said rotary tank to said microwave generator which transmits microwave energy from said microwave generator to the interior of said rotary tank; a mechanism forming a rotary joint between said rotary tank and said fixed waveguide wherein said mechanism forms a vacuum seal, a microwave energy seal, and a means to allow for discharging solid said decomposed and sterilized medical waste material; a means for collecting solid said decomposed and sterilized medical waste material; a means for collecting output gases of said decomposed and sterilized medical waste material; and an input door attached to a shredder;   placing medical waste material into said shredder by way of said input door;   shredding said medical waste material into strips of varying lengths having a width or diameter of less than about 2.5 cm;   allowing said shredded medical waste material to fall from said shredder to the inside said rotary tank;   generating microwave energy of 60 kilowatts with said microwave generator;   transmitting said microwave energy to the interior of said rotary tank by means of said waveguide;   decomposing and sterilizing said medical waste material by means of exposing said shredded medical waste material to said microwave energy in said sealed atmosphere;   collecting any output gasses produced during the decomposition and sterilization of said medical waste material; and   collecting solid said decomposed and sterilized medical waste material.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 wherein said sealed atmosphere consists essentially of nitrogen or carbon dioxide. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 8 wherein said mixing blades attached to the inner surface of said rotary tank are helical mixing blades. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 8 wherein said mixing blades attached to the inner surface of said rotary tank are used to expel said decomposed and sterilized solid medical waste material from said rotary tank. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 8 wherein said means for collecting output gases is a gas condenser. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 8 wherein said means for collecting solid said decomposed and sterilized medical waste material is a trolley comprised of a container mounted on wheels.